Cinderella: A Retelling of an Old Classic

Seams and Secrets - Chapter 24

"No madam, I couldn't possibly....I absolutely can not accept this!"

"You can and you will. I insist, and I will hear no argument from you or anyone else. These dresses hang in my closet completely useless to me. Its only right that you should wear them."

"But I couldn't...."

"Why ever not? We shan't say a word to Regina or my granddaughters. I shall escort you to these events as my ward and no one will be the wiser. Tell me now, why is this plan unacceptable to you?"

"I...well I, th-that is to say..."

"My dear, I'm afraid I will brook no refusal. You wish to respect your father and mother's wishes and be a good and obedient girl, this I understand, but when you are my age you realize that standing up for one's self is, at times, the best way to live up to your potential. Do you believe your mother would have wanted this for you?" Ella's grandmother motioned up and down at her ragged dress and scuffed, ash-encrusted shoes. "She would weep if she could see this, believe me my child."

Ella looked down at herself and silently agreed. She knew that her father and her mother had never wished her to be in the place she was now but she was still afraid. If Regina ever found out her life would be even more miserable then it currently was.

The grand lady in front of her kindly laid a hand onto Ella's shoulder. "You will most certainly need to make some changes to the gowns. I'm afraid many of these are somewhat old fashioned. My days of attending balls as a young woman were over some time ago. You may have to refit and restructure some of them a fair amount."

Ella fingered the fine lace, heavy damask and soft silk tenderly as she thought things through. Of course if Regina found out she had attended this ball there would be a heavy price to pay, but who said she would ever know? Her stepmother hardly ever looked at her with any intent other then to give her more chores...surely she could never recognize her charge in such a fine gown and without soot on her face and hands.

Suddenly turning and clasping the hands of her guardian angel she said, "I'll do it! I will attend the ball, but...are you sure you are comfortable with my cutting up your things madam?"

She was startled to hear a hearty laughter coming from the generous lady.

"Dear, I am far too old to be wearing these dresses and far too stingy to give them to my ridiculous granddaughters. Of course, with their, rather hideous taste in clothing I expect they would not appreciate such a gesture even if i were to make it."

Ella looked at the velvets and silks before her feeling slightly overwhelmed. Of course she took an interest in the newest fashions, peaking into the seamstresses windows when she was out, and she did see so many beautifully dressed young ladies when she went into town. Truthfully however,  she had never given much thought to wear something so fine herself. 

Feeling a hand on her shoulder she jumped and turned to look at her generous benefactress.

"Don't worry dear, I will help you with everything. I may not be so young as I used to be but my taste and eye for fashion is still impeccable."

"Thank you so much madame." Ella replied.

"Why dont you call me godmother. I am growing rather weary  of hearing that infernal 'madame' coming from you every time you speak to me."

Startled Ella began to differ.

"I will hear no refusal. I am not your grandmother by blood its true but with your father's marriage to my daughter I am at least related to you in spirit if nothing more." 

Shocked, Adela stared. She had not known that Regina had told her mother about her true origins. In fact, she rather doubted her stepmother had brought it up at all. Regina was certainly more comfortable with her being unheard and unseen until such a time as she was needed.

"How did you know?" She asked faintly.

Her godmother delicately sat down and looked at her in amusement. "Did you really think I would have allowed a daughter of mine to marry anyone without properly looking into her affianced first? I knew he had a child dear girl. I also knew, with Regina's personality, that she would try her best to trample you into the dirt as soon as the opportunity arose."

Ella watched as she struggled to go on. 

"I truly am appalled at the length my daughter stoops to fulfilling her own sense of inferiority. She has not always been thus but, life has not been so kind to her as you might be tempted to imagine. Still, I am aware that is no excuse for her behavior....nor for mine. I should have taken you away as soon as I heard your father had gone but, being the cowardly mother that I am I was afraid of how my daughter would react. Now, I can do little to help your situation. I have no legal claim to you nor do I have any say in my daughters household. I pray that, in some way, this can help you venture out into the world. I would never presume to be called your grandmother my child, but I would feel the most wonderful sense of relief if you were to call me your godmother. Perhaps in this way I can protect you from some of your stepmothers ill temper."

Adela honestly had little to say. She did understand the difficulties that this lady must have had with her stepmother. Ella wondered what she would do if she had such a daughter. That was neither here nor there however. For the first time in many years Adela felt she had someone that truly cared for her. Excepting Rebecca of course, she'd had very few instances where someone tried to take care of her and shield her from life's momentary hardships.

"I would be honored to call you Godmother." She said shyly.

The lady smiled looking emotional. "Now, you must choose the gown...perhaps, may I make a suggestion?"

Stepping back from the wardrobe Ella nodded eagerly. Her godmotherr stood and pulled out a gown of a stunning blue.

"All the girls there will try their best to stand out. Like hens in a chicken coop they will do whatever they can to catch the eye of whatever eligible rooster they can. Your best option my darling, is not to try and outdo the other girls, but to simply be the best version of yourself. True confidence is the most winning attribute a woman can have and I know for a fact, men find it very appealing."

Blushing Adela fingered the blue silk. It was cut to reveal her shoulders in the front and black diamonds beaded the front in an ever dwindling cascade from shoulder to waist in an angular line. It was a unique gown, the full skirt hanging beautifully with scalloped, black lace edging the bottom.

"The black isn't too austere?" She ventured timidly as she fingered the cloth again.

"With your coloring my dear, it will only bring out the alabaster skin that is uniquely yours. And those stunning eyes will only look brighter against this blue."

Feeling satisfied Ella agreed and began to take the gown off of its hook.

"No, no," her godmother interjected. "I think it may be a better plan for you to come in here each evening to alter it. That way you can be excused from your regular chores and sew in peace. I'll tell Regina you are helping me with some needlework so we shan't be telling her an untruth at all."

Holding the dress up to her goddaughter the lady sighed. 

"If he does not notice you in this dress, he is far more stupid then I suspect now."

"'He?'" Ella asked questioningly.

"The prince of course." Her godmother laughed. "I shall make you a princess."